Feature: Baseball fans out in full force

From residence halls to bars, Columbia offers a variety of locales to watch ball games.

By Jaryd Wilson

Published Oct. 10, 2006

Calling all baseball fans: Get off the couch because there are more places to watch the game than your cozy little dwelling.

MU has many places die-hard fans can go to watch playoff games. So get out of your room, gather the gang and go somewhere different to watch the teams battle it out on a big screen. Columbia offers different venues for every type of sports watcher.

Take a ride on the lazy river:

If a more relaxed, laid-back atmosphere for the game is needed, chill at the Tiger Grotto inside the Student Recreation Complex and watch the games on one of the biggest TVs on campus. You can also watch the game from the pool deck; float in the lazy river; get sucked into the whirlpool — enjoy it from the spa or just hang out in the swimming area. And during commercials, take advantage of the sauna and steam shacks.

"If there are people in here, they're usually cheering when something big happens," sophomore lifeguard Valerie Dixon said.

Dixon said that even she will take a glance at the TV from time to time.

Breadsticks and baseball:

If fast food is an important component during the game, look no further than Brady Commons. With a TV in the back of the seating area, Brady drew a surprisingly large number of Cardinals fans for the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres.

"I've seen all of the postseason games here," senior Adam Lodes said. "There's usually a big turnout."

$1 Burgers for the Cardinals:

Those 21 or older can head over to Campus Bar & Grill, 304 S. Ninth St. Perhaps the most raucous and energetic place near campus, the bar, located on the corner of Ninth and Elm streets, is home to some of the biggest Cardinals fans on game nights. These fans, who are mostly students, are out of their seats for everything from a Chris Carpenter strikeout to a Pujols walk-off home run. Also, enjoy special deals such as $1 burgers anytime the Cardinals are on TV.

"We definitely make good money on Cardinal nights," said sophomore Mike Adams, a host at the bar. "It gets pretty wild in here too."

Ball Games at the 'Berg:

A block south of the Campus Bar & Grill is the Heidelberg, which is a restaurant and bar that also has its share of excitement when the Cardinals are playing. In a less-rowdy environment than Campus Bar & Grill, fans can enjoy the game in the dining area, at the bar or upstairs on the restaurant's outdoor patio.

"It's not overly busy all the time, but there are definitely some Cardinals fans spread throughout the room," general manager and owner Rusty Walls said. "It usually gets busier during the week when there isn't anyone watching football or doing weekend activities."

Beat the crowd, but bring your own peanuts:

For those who prefer to watch baseball closer to home, they might not even have to leave the comfort of their residence hall. In the skyway connecting Discovery and Excellence residence halls is a "portal room," a lounge with a big screen TV, tables and comfortable couches. This is also the place where residents of these halls go if they want a fun atmosphere to watch the game. Students usually show their excitement during big plays and support their team enthusiastically.

"This place has been more crowded every game," sophomore Jenna Maschmann said. "Thursday night was a huge night for the Padres game."

In Pershing Commons, the center of the Pershing residence halls just south of the Student Recreation Complex, there is a big screen TV in what is referred to as "Lower Pershing."

"It's usually the same group of kids, and they are always loud," desk attendant Kelli White said. "You definitely know when the Cardinals did something well."

Perhaps the biggest student gathering in the residence halls takes place on the third floor of Schurz, where as many as 30 residents are seen in the lounge on game nights. Here, chants are heard all the way down the hall.

"It's usually a huge gathering, somewhere around 30 of us," freshman Dan Jennewein said. "It's always a lot of fun."